Terms of Reference for Translation and contextualization of BEmONC Training Package for Somaliland

Terms of Reference – Translation and contextualization of BEmONC Training Package for Somaliland

Functional Title: Consultant for translating the BEmONC Training Package

Grade: Consultant (Individual or Firm)

Post of Duty: Home Based and Ministry of Health Development Somaliland office

Supporting agency: UNFPA

Duration: 40 Days

1. Background Information

In most low-income countries, Maternal, child mortality and morbidity are major public health concerns closely related to poor access to quality health care. According to the Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) 2020, the proportion of skilled birth attendance at birth is only 40%. The maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Somaliland remain very high compared to the rest of the world. Thus, there is an urgent need to scale up access to safe and quality maternal and newborn healthcare services among the Somaliland population. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) agencies have recognized that qualified midwives trained per international standards, and their services integrated into the health care system, and work as part of interdisciplinary teams that serve pregnancy, antenatal care, labour, childbirth, post-partum care and contraceptives, could avert 87 per cent of all maternal deaths globally. With this background, the starting point would be to build the capacity of midwives and other health care providers assigned to BEmONC facilities to have the competencies critical to saving the lives of mothers and their babies during pregnancy and childbirth.

A set of seven vital obstetric services, or “signal functions,” have been identified as critical to basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC). These include: 1) administration of parenteral antibiotics, 2) administration of parenteral anticonvulsant, 3) administration of parenteral uterotonic agents, 4) removal of retained products of conception (use of manual vacuum aspiration, MVA), 5) assisted vaginal delivery (vacuum extraction); 6) manual removal of placenta and 7) resuscitation of the New-born. Most maternal and neonatal deaths occur at birth or within 24 hours of birth. Providing primary emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC) at these critical periods with evidence-based interventions will significantly prevent maternal and newborn deaths, especially during the first 24 hours post- delivery.

In light of that Ministry of Health Development Somaliland, in collaboration with UNFPA, is supporting the translation and contextualization of the existing BEmONC training package and training guidelines for health care providers operating at the BEMOC facility. The training documents align with the international strategies for reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities. Still, they need to be contextualized in Somaliland and be made available in the Somali language.

1. Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a consultancy that will facilitate the translation and contextualization of the BEmONC training package, which aims to promote and institutionalize a standardized approach to the conduct and delivery of BEmONC training to healthcare providers in Somaliland. The package aims to equip the health care providers with skills and competencies required for responding to obstetric emergencies at the health center level (BEmONC facilities) by competently adhering to the treatment protocol for offering the seven signal functions of basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC) for the management of obstetric emergencies. The training package will enable health care providers for patient stabilization before referral to higher-level facilities (CEmONC). The package will also guide BEmONC care at primary and secondary care facilities where midwives, nurses or doctors deliver services.

1. Objectives of the Assignment

Working under the overall supervision of the Director of Community Health Services, Ministry of Health Development Somaliland, and with some reporting lines to the UNFPA reproductive health manager, the consultancy will manage the task assigned.

The main objective of the consultancy work will be to:

Translate and lead the validation workshop of the standardized Training Package for BEmONC in-service training for Somaliland that will focus on mastering essential knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for providing life-saving care to mothers during pregnancy and childbirth for saving newborn lives.

1. Expected outcomes (of the consultancy)

To translate and contextualize to Somaliland context, the BEmONC Training Package for Somaliland frontline health workers (midwives, nurses, and doctors), which includes the following documents (524 pages total) :

1. Training manual for healthcare workers (190 pages)

Main activities

1. Undertake a thorough read of all documents to translate all three documents to the accurate Somali language to ensure that all Somali-speaking healthcare professionals can fully understand the document.
2. Conduct a validation workshop to engage a wider stakeholder pool in endorsing the final documents (Approx.. 1 day)

• Conduct an orientation workshop to familiarize BeMONC trainer of trainers (TOTs) on the final document (Approx.. 1 day)

1. Produce a report detailing the activities of the consultancy and the outcomes from the validation workshop and the orientation workshop.
2. Regular meetings with the MOHD to ensure meeting project timelines and deliverables
3. Scope of work and expected outputs/deliverables:

The consultant is expected to develop a clear workplan and indicate how they will best use the assignment period, which is 40 days.  See action six below for the final expected deliverables.

1. Final Deliverables:

1. 1. Validation workshop report of the 1 day validation workshop facilitated by the consultant. The report should include a list of participants, key items discussed and agreed on topics/ points with stakeholders part of the consultation.
   2. Final copies of validated and endorsed BEmONC Training Package consisting of the following:

1. The translated and contextualized BEmONC training manual for healthcare workers
2. The translated and contextualized BEmONC facilitators guide

• The translated and contextualized BEmONC participant reference manual

1. 1. . Orientation workshop report of the one-day orientation workshop facilitated by the consultant. The report should include a list of participants and key modalities used to orient staff.

1. Timeframe and deadlines:

This assignment is for 40 days (38 days for the transaltion and 2 days for workshops) to translate and contextualise the BEmONC Training Package for Somaliland.

1. Payment schedule
2. First instalment: 15% – upon signing of contract and submission of a workplan for the 40 days on the key deliverables and how tasks will be assigned for the duration of the consultancy.
3. Final instalment: 85% Upon successful submission of translated BEmONC training package, validation and orientation workshop mentioned above and the final consultancy report.
4. Location

The assignment entails travel around Somaliland –Hargeisa.

1. Key project timeline
2. Update on draft translated doucument – 20th Day
3. Weekly updates to MOHD – every second Wednesday (time to be determined)
4. Final training materials – 38th Day
5. Final workshop report – by the 40th day